Could The San Diego Padres Be A Sleeper Team?

Back in February, analysts across baseball were predicting that the National League West division would be fought over by the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Arizona Diamondbacks would put up a valiant effort, but fall to third place. And the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres would fight over who gets to be last.

Instead, what we have is the bewildering Dodgers team struggling to leave the bottom of the division, and the Diamondbacks holding on to a two-game lead over the Giants and the Rockies.

The Padres may be a few games back in the division (6.5 as of today), but could they push for a playoff spot?

Maybe. But they have their work cut out for them.

Compare their pitcher stats to the Diamondbacks, who’s ace in Ian Kennedy has struggled so far this year, and the only pitcher on the Dbacks staff to not lose a game, Patrick Corbin, the 5th man.

The Padres overall aren’t that much different pitching wise against the Diamondbacks. The exception being Clayton Richard and Patrick Corbin. Richard will need to get his control of the ball back, or the Padres should allow one of their younger talents to come up and contribute.

The issue then, isn’t pitching necessarily. You can have one bad starter and still get wins.